# NTSB MIA04CA095: Cessna 182H, N8304S, La Belle, FL, June 8, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 8, 2004, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: La Belle, FL - Coordinates: 26.800277, -81.485 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.8003&lon=-81.4850&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Fort Lauderdale - NTSB case key (mKey): 59418 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA04CA095 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59418/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA04CA095 ## Probable cause The inadvertent deployment of the main parachute resulting in damage to the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, cruise - misc eqpt/furnishings,parachute/drag chute - deployed inadvertently ## Analysis The pilot stated that while the first parachutist was climbing out on the airplanes strut, her pilot chute got caught on a safety belt resulting in the inadvertent deployment of her main parachute, which streamed back over the right horizontal stabilizer. The parachutist went under as the main parachute went over the top of the stabilizer. The parachute lines damaged the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator. The parachutist cut the parachute line releasing her and the chute from the airplane. The incident parachutist landed uneventfully with her reserve parachute. The pilot made a normal landing at the departure airport after a slow descent from 10,000 feet. ## Factual narrative On June 8, 2004, about 1030 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182H, N8304S, registered to Fayard Enterprises, Inc., operated by Skydive SW Florida, incurred substantial damage from an inadvertently deployed skydiver's parachute, near La Belle, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 skydiving release flight. The commercial-rated pilot, and three parachutists reported no injuries. The flight had originated from the Sundance Farms Airport, La Belle, Florida shortly before the accident. The pilot stated that while the first parachutist was climbing out on the airplanes strut, her pilot chute got caught on a safety belt resulting in the inadvertent deployment of her main parachute, which streamed back over the right horizontal stabilizer. The parachutist went under as the main parachute went over the top of the stabilizer. The parachute lines damaged the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator. The parachutist cut the parachute line releasing her and the chute from the airplane. The pilot immediately told the other two parachutists to leave the airplane and he notified air traffic control of his situation. The incident parachutist landed uneventfully with her reserve parachute. The pilot made a normal landing at the departure airport after a slow descent from 10,000 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8304S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8304S-2018-03-16), registration cancelled 2018-03-16, S/N 18256404, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182H - Registry model: [Cessna 182H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182h) (registry code 2072718) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18256404 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Skydive SW Florida - Registered owner: Fayard Enterprises Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 22, 2003 - Departed: FD20, La Belle, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 2, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 10,500 total, 600 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: RSW ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20040608033239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040608033239A), Jun 8, 2004: Cessna 182H, Labelle, FL, Minor damage. (-23) On June 8, 2004 at 1030, a Cessna 182H, N8304S, registered to fayard enterprises, inc., operated by skydive sw Florida, incurred substantial damage to… ## Other investigations on N8304S (3) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB MIA06CA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA06CA034), Dec 24, 2005: Cessna 182 (N8304S), Haines City, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper preflight planning/preparation, and operation of equipment with known deficiencies, a right wing fuel cap leak, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the loss of engine power. - [NTSB DEN79DQA34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN79DQA34), Jul 1, 1979: Cessna 182 (N8304S), Roswell, NM, substantial damage - [NTSB MKC66D0364](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC66D0364), Dec 30, 1965: Cessna 182 (N8304S), Centerville, IA, substantial damage From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.